Listening Session: The Berklee Global Jazz Institute

12:34

September 17, 2010

Greg Chaplin, left, Kenji Herbert, and Hailey Niswanger, from the Berjlee Global Jazz Institute. (Jessica Alpert/WBUR) — Greg Chaplin (left), Kenji Herbert, and Hailey Niswanger from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

The Berklee College of Music has long been lauded for its superb jazz program. In January, the college announced that it would continue its grand tradition of studying jazz through a new program called the Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI). Led by artistic director and world-renowned jazz pianist Danilo Perez, the institute is a "performance program designed to foster creativity and musicianship through various musical disciplines," according to the college.

Students in the program study with a host of acclaimed musicians and faculty, perform regularly, and give back to the community by teaching local children through Berklee's City Music program. This weekend, the BGJI will play at the 53rd annual Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, California.

A group from the BGJI joins us in the studio to play some music and tell us more about the program.

Guests:

Danilo Perez, artistic director and Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist
Greg Chaplin, bass
Kenji Herbert, guitar
Hailey Niswanger, alto saxophone

More:

This program aired on September 17, 2010.